This past week, Michigan State University announced that starting in the fall of 2017, it will be requiring parking permits for mopeds on campus. Let me clarify by saying that we already have to register our mopeds in the state of Michigan. Now, we have no choice but to spend fifty dollars to buy a parking permit for a tiny motorized scooter that is only slightly bigger than a bike. To make matters even worse, students will no longer be allowed to park their mopeds at the bike racks. In previous years, the bike racks are the only spaces that students have been allowed to park their mopeds. This summer, MSU will be putting various "moped-only" lots throughout campus.

As expected, the students, including myself, are enraged. I bought a used moped this spring and it has been incredibly convenient to be able to park right next to the buildings where my classes are held. By the end of college, I plan to have easily saved enough gas and parking ramp fees to repay what I spent on buying my moped. And yet, MSU once again only seems to have their best financial interests in mind, and here we are, about to give them thousands of more dollars. It's maddening.

The organization who requested this new law is called the "All University Traffic and Transportation Committee," and its reasons for this new procedure were completely ridiculous and unnecessary. They are concerned that there has not been enough space for bikes. They also argue that mopeds are a danger to students on bikes and pedestrians. Apparently, the bike racks are too crowded and it's time for the mopeds to move.

I call bullshit.

The bike racks allow students to lock up their mopeds. These vehicles are very lightweight and can (and have) be stolen very easily. Without a way to lock them to a structure, the chance they will be stolen increases greatly, especially late at night when students are in their dorms or studying at the library.

Also, can someone please tell me when there has been a safety issue? When was the last incident where a moped hit a biker/pedestrian? We drive them on the streets, then we park them at the rack. It is illegal to drive them on sidewalks, so I would like to know why it is suddenly a hazard to PARK them in a stationary position. Stopped mopeds don't hit people. In addition, there is zero evidence that moped and pedestrian accidents are increasing on campus.

I live off of campus and will continue to do so in the fall semester. I cannot afford to pay to park my car in the ramps. Most days, I am on a major time crunch because I work before and after class. I don’t need to have to devote any more time to parking and walking to class. Buying the moped solved that problem for me, and yet somehow there is still an issue.

Additionally, let's talk about the argument that there isn't enough space for bikes. LIES. I have never once stopped at a bike rack that didn't have enough space. Even in the warmer months, there are always places to park, whether you have a bike or a moped. If it's an issue of space, perhaps a better (and cheaper) solution would be to just add a few more bike racks???

This new law is just another way for MSU to get money that they don't need. I'd rather them take the money used to build moped lots and put it towards scholarships for people who deserve a reward for their hard work and good grades.

If you, like me, think that MSU's decision is outrageous, you can sign the petition here, even if you aren't a student at Michigan State. You can also email the MSU police department here.

Mopeds aren't a problem. We gotta shut this down.